Environmental Change Model

• This interactive climate map combines NCAR and NASA climate models to provide detailed information about historic and future shifts in global and regional temperature, ice mass, biomes, and precipitation.
• Students can select their region of interest, environmental condition, and time frame to view on the map, with a detailed description of the information provided below.
  

Positives

• This model is easy to use and provides excellent instructions.
• The colorful maps allow students to visually see how global warming will affect ecosystems and people all over the world.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• The map for the U.S. Northeast provides the best image of Maine for students in that location.
• If you have a slower Internet connection, press the stop button above the map and click through the temperatures slowly.
• The IPCC RCP-8.5 is referring to an emissions scenario and the delta symbol means "change in" for the temperature scale at the top.
  

Differentiation

• Younger students may need to know what types of plants and animals are present in the different biomes.
• Advanced placement or college level students could read the linked scientific journal article about the sensitivity of the model to glacial forcings.
• Biology students could use this tool to estimate the effects of climate change on native plants in their local area and present their findings to the class.
• Social studies or economics students could use this tool to estimate the economic risks associated with letting climate change go unchecked for farmers, businesses, and our global economy.
  

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.